Chandrawat Law Firm

Constitutional Matters and Public Interest Litigation

India has one of the oldest legal systems in the world. Its law and jurisprudence stretches back into the centuries, forming a living tradition which has grown and evolved with the lives of its diverse people.

India’s commitment to law is created in the Constitution which constituted India into a Sovereign Democratic Republic, containing a federal system with Parliamentary form of Government in the Union and the States, an independent judiciary, guaranteed Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy containing objectives which though not enforceable in law are fundamental to the governance of the nation.

Any matter regarding the interpretation, protection or enforcement of the constitution is considered as a constitutional matter. The Supreme Court, as India’s highest constitutional court, hear appeals mostly against verdicts of the high courts across the country, as well as other courts and tribunals. It also hear cases that the President of India may refer to it directly under the constitution.

The Supreme Court’s importance in dealing with constitutional matters are as:

  • It serves as a last resort for Indian citizens seeking justice if they are dissatisfied with the High Court’s decision.
  • Citizens of India can seek direct redress through writs if their fundamental rights are violated, according to Article 32 of the Constitution.

Sources of law

The fountain source of law in India is the Constitution which, in turn, gives due recognition to statutes, case law and customary law consistent with its dispensations. Statutes are enacted by Parliament, State Legislatures and Union Territory Legislatures.

There is also a vast body of laws known as subordinate legislation in the form of rules, regulations as well as by-laws made by Central and State Governments and local authorities like Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Gram Panchayats and other local bodies.

This subordinate legislation is made under the authority conferred or delegated either by Parliament or State or Union Territory Legislature concerned. The decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all Courts within the territory of India. As India is a land of diversities, local customs and conventions which are not against statute, morality, etc.

Public interest litigation (PIL)

A Public Interest Litigation is the power given to the public by the court. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) can be filed in any High Court or directly in the Supreme Court. A PIL is a kind of lawsuit brought in a court of law to protect “public interest” issues such as pollution, terrorism, road safety, and construction risks, among others. A Public Interest Litigation can be brought in a court of law to address any issue that concerns the broader public.

By submitting a petition, any citizen can bring a public case to the attention of the public:

  • In the Supreme Court of India, under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution
  • In the High Court of India, under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution
  • In the Court of Magistrate, according to section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code

 In the matters related to bonded labor, children that have been neglected, exploitation of casual workers and non payment of minimum wages, women’s atrocities, environmental pollution and disruption of the ecological equilibrium, adulteration of food, heritage, and cultural preservation are some of the issues that are considered in PILs.

The importance of PIL

  • PIL is a critical tool for social transformation, preserving the rule of law, and accelerating the balance of law and justice
  • The objective of PIL is to provide regular people an access to the courts in order to seek legal remedies
  • It is a tool for bringing human rights to those who have been denied from them
  • The major aim is to avoid violation of religious rights or other basic fundamental rights of the general public
  • It is also significant for implementing the concept of judicial review

We have skilled professionals with a high level of legal knowledge and competence to deal with all the complicated matters related to PIL in India. We provide all essential assistance, whether it is dealing with the filing of a PIL in any social concern or related to any constitutional issue.

Services we offer

Our professionals provide a wide range of services in the following areas:

  • We can assist in the protection of violation of one’s morals or fundamental rights through writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari.
  • We can act as a pillar of support for underprivileged individuals when their rights are violated, and we can assist them in bringing their cases to the court.
  • We can also provide our clients with the advice in order to attain their goals, as one of the major aim of filling the PIL is the policy implementation by the federal and state government.
  • Our professionals assist in giving voice to the weaker section by highlighting their concerns and providing them with the strength to file a Public Interest Litigation and speak for their rights.
  • We assist our clients in dealing with constitutional concerns. According to Articles 132, 133, and 134 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has appellate authority over civil, criminal, and constitutional disputes.
  • We file petitions for illegal detention, Illegal termination, illegol attochment of the allowances and protection of life and liberty.
  • Advising on possible constitutional challenges to statutes and challenging the constitutionality of law and policies.
  • Opinion on matters involving substantial questions of law relating to interpretation of statutory provisions.
  • Filing and defending of writ petition before High Courts as well as before Supreme Court safeguarding the fundamental rights.
  • Filing of SLP, appeal, revision, review & curative petition before Supreme Court.